Thursday, April 4, 2013

Royal Tern

This Royal Tern’s refreshing late afternoon bath looks to be
as much fun, as to be a necessary function.

Just offshore in shallow surf, he and his buddy splashed and
rolled in Murrells Inlet, near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.He twisted and rolled in the water secure
in the knowledge his flock mates were watching out for him.

Also watching, but seemingly unimpressed was a Laughing
Gull.

Soggy and waterlogged, a quick flight shed most of the water.

Aware of my presence, but unconcerned, a flock of fifty mostly Royal Terns crowded together. They faced the wind, ready for quick take-offs and to go about the daily
routines that keep them in top-flight shape.

When nearly blown-dry, they rejoin the others onshore to preen, oil and
straighten their feathers once again.

With their heads twisted around and buried in fluffy
feathers, others remained alert for the flock’s protection.

The Royal Tern is a large tern found only along the coastal
beaches of the southern United States and the northern beaches of South America.They feed on fish and shrimp by diving
headlong into the water, just like the huge Brown Pelicans that joined them here on this second day of April.

The pelicans, still in full breeding colors, monstered over the flock, but all parties were
getting along nicely.

Tolerance of strangers only goes so far when it comes to
birds. If you get into their comfort zone they will leave, as these Royal Terns
did when I got within fifty feet.Upset, but not alarmed, they rose one by one.Angling past me and flying quietly they gave me one last
picture opportunity to photograph these beautiful, graceful birds before
disappearing over Murrells Inlet.